Proactive model to determine information technologies supporting expansion of air cargo network

Shippers and recipients expect transportation companies to provide more than just the movement of a package between points; certain information must be available to them as well, to enable forecasts and plans within the supply chain. The transportation companies also need the information flow that undergirds a transportation grid, to support ad-hoc routing and strategic structural re-alignment of business processes. This research delineates the information needs for an expanding air cargo network, then develops a new model of the information technologies needed to support expansion into a new country. The captured information will be used by shippers, recipients, and the transportation provider to better guide business decisions. This model will provide a method for transportation companies to balance the tradeoffs between the operating efficiencies, capital expenditures, and customer expectations of their IT systems. The output of the model is a list of technologies – optimized by cost – which meet the specific needs of internal and external customers when expanding air cargo networks into a new country

Developing Smart Port with Crucial Domains and Indicators in the Thai Port Case: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

The port is an important transportation hub of maritime transport, recently developing smart ship transport for the smart port. Therefore, smart port indicators (SPIs) are crucial for smart port development. Applying SPIs for port management improves the overall port performance, reduces environmental pollution, as well as promoting port safety and innovation. This research aims at confirming the smart port indicators and defining the primary strategies for smart port performance in Thailand. We have employed a questionnaire survey as a method of data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis of respondents\u27 general information and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has been used to test the key domains and indicators for confirming the dominant and verify the relationship of these indicators to the domains to which the indicator belongs. The results obtained comprise three main domains: smart port operation, smart port environment/energy, and smart port safety/security, using primary nineteen SPIs measurements. Furthermore, this research results have succeeded in introducing port operation to performance management in smart ports, thereby ensuring and facilitating port practice planning

Integrated Management System for Coal Mine Locomotive Transportation

Combined with the reconstruction project of underground locomotive transportation system in Guqiao Coal Mine of Huainan Mining Group, the dissertation studies the comprehensive management system of coal mine locomotive transportation. The accuracy of ZigBee wireless positioning technology is improved through Gaussian filtering to make it applicable to more complex underground coal mine environment. Frequency conversion control is used in the motor control circuit to realize real-time calculation of the running speed of the locomotive. By analyzing the control scheme of the turnout and traffic lights, the explosion isolation and essential safety control sub-station suitable for gas mine are designed. Communication platform construction of the system is realized through wireless base station of Benan mine and industrial network of coal mine. System relevant data can be uploaded to the ground dispatching center in real time, so that the scheduling staff can reasonably arrange the scheduling tasks in a timely manner. The optimized logistics management and storage management system makes the material dispatching and transportation more reasonable and scientific. Through the analysis of the running data, the construction and personnel management of the locomotives are realized

Logistics 4.0 in warehousing: a conceptual framework of influencing factors, benefits and barriers

Purpose: In the last decade, the Industry 4.0 paradigm had started to rapidly expand to the logistics domain. However, Logistics 4.0 is still in an early adoption stage: some areas such as warehousing are still exploring its applicability, and the technological implementation of this paradigm can become fuzzy. This paper addresses this gap by examining the relationship among influencing factors, barriers, and benefits of Logistics 4.0 technologies in warehousing contexts. Design/methodology/approach: Starting from a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach with 56 examined documents published in scientific journals or conference proceedings, a conceptual framework for Logistics 4.0 in warehousing is proposed. The framework encompasses multiple aspects related to the potential adopter’s decision-making process. Findings: Influencing factors toward adoption, achievable benefits, and possible hurdles or criticalities have been extensively analyzed and structured into a consistent picture. Company’s digital awareness and readiness result in a major influencing factor, whereas barriers and criticalities are mostly technological, safety and security, and economic in nature. Warehousing process optimization is the key benefit identified. Originality/value: This paper addresses a major gap since most of the research has focused on specific facets, or adopted the technology providers’ perspective, whereas little has been explored in warehousing from the adopters’ view. The main novelty and value lie in providing both academics and practitioners with a thorough view of multiple facets to be considered when approaching Logistics 4.0 in logistics facilities

The role of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies for safety management: A systematic literature review

Abstract Innovations introduced during the Industry 4.0 era consist in the integration of the so called "nine pillars of technologies" in manufacturing, transforming the conventional factory in a smart factory. The aim of this study is to investigate enabling technologies of Industry 4.0, focusing on technologies that have a greater impact on safety management. Main characteristics of such technologies will be identified and described according to their use in an industrial environment. In order to do this, we chose a systematic literature review (SLR) to answer the research question in a comprehensively way. Results show that articles can be grouped according to different criteria. Moreover, we found that Industry 4.0 can increase safety levels in warehouse and logistic, as well as several solutions are available for building sector

Informing Sustainable Standards in 'The Circular Economy' utilising technological and data solutions

In our world of make, use and throw away we are now doing more damage to the planet than good, and this mindset has become unsustainable. One of the solutions to this problem is the ‘Circular Economy’ (CE). The CE replaces the concept of end-of-life production with restoration of natural systems, innovative design to design out waste and keeping products and materials in circulation for as long as possible. This research will use data science and statistical information to provide a solid foundation (framework) for standards developers to frame the development of standards for the CE. The research will extend the current CE model by interjecting innovative ideas into areas of the CE process: data analysis, restriction of harmful chemicals removing them from the supply chain, research into Local Value Creation (LVC) and research into Sustainable Development in the CE. The research will investigate how Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging of products and materials provide a realistic way to trace products and materials in a CE management system. It will also expand the knowledge on digitization in standards development by analyzing key data streams connected to the CE in order to inform the standards development community of the need to develop a standard on the CE. This research will use a mixed methodology by combining quantitative methods (data analysis) and qualitative data (case studies). This will be detailed in Chapter 3 – Methodology. The data collected from the literature review will drive four main Sections and four research questions in Chapter 4. This research will analyse through Case Studies and research papers the uptake of circular thinking in China and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and use the outcomes positive or negative to show practical applications for this research.The objective conclusion of this research is to provide a framework for a European or International standard in order to fill the gap as no such Standard currently exists European or Internationally that addresses the CE. A Framework with inclusions from the research will form a usable output from the research. This research will inform or be of interest to the Standards development community, data scientists, Circular Economy practitioners and environmental regulators. The aim of this research is to provide a framework standard using underlying data and statistical information needed to develop a new Standard on the Circular Economy. Once a Standard is developed and published it can be used by any organisation or group of organisations, country or individual wishing to manage internally and collectively their activities in order to transition to the CE and the Sustainable Development goal of responsible consumption and production. This research has produced a framework from which sustainable standards can be developed. The data acquired from using RFID tags imbedded in products allows manufacturers to control and analyse the materials in their products specific to hazardous chemicals. This data can also be used to track the product through the supply chain and onto its product life cycle. The data gathered in the product example in this thesis tracks the potential use of hazardous chemicals in the product, this is important information for endof-life decisions to be made on the product. The data can then be used to develop requirements and testing regimes for circular economy standards. Having identified some of the main areas of future activity in the CE, this research i.e., the circular economy, data science and standards development will continue to evoke research in the CE for the foreseeable future